Method of constructing picture-frames



(No Model.)

T. G. VAIL.

METHOD OF CONSTRUGTING PICTURE FRAMES. No. 286.872. Patented Oct. 16, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS C. VAIL, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.

METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING PICTURE-FRAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,872, dated October 16, 1883.

Application filed July 18,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. VAIL, of Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Method of Constructing Picture-Frames; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to an improved method of constructing and uniting picture-frames, whereby the inner frame or stretcher can be securely and tightly fastened to the outer frame or molding, and so secured that it cannot become disengaged, but stillat the same time may be detached by simply throwing or bending up one of the ends. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a cross-section of the fastening, showing the same securing the outer and inner frames together. Figs. 2 and-3 are views showing, respectively, a flat and round fastening.

A represents the outer frame or molding; B, the inner frame or stretcher; O, the fastening, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) which consists of the metal piece-strip 0, having thelsharpened points D D bent at right angles and in opposite directions to each other. The said fast enings may be made of any material desiredsuch, for instance, as iron, galvanized iron, copper, &c.and may be either flat or round, and of any thickness or length desired. In securing the inner frame to the outer one any number of fastenings maybe used. To more tightly draw the parts together, a thin piece of paper or other material may be placed between the projection on the outer frame, A, and the inner frame or stretcher, B.

together with but very slight cost, and with.- out marring or disfiguring the moldings or;

frames, as is now the case.

, I am aware that a heavy fastening means has heretofore been made with the bar struck at right angles and with broad Wedge-shaped ends struck in opposite directions; but such an article is not adapted to the purpose in tended of my invention without material alteration, the broad wedge ends being objectionable. My improvement isin providing a straight shank with sharp-pointed ends struck at right angles in opposite directions, and the shank being adapted to be bent over in its application t0 the uses intended.

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The method herein described of constructing and uniting the molding-frame and stretcher-frame of pictures, which consists in taking metallic fasteners having straight shanks with sharp-pointed ends struck at right angles in opposite directions and driving the sharpened points into the outer frame, then placingthe inner frame in position, then striking down the shanks of the fasteners over the surface of the inner frame, and then driving the sharpened points into the said inner frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I append my signature.

THOMAS C. VAIL.

Witnesses:

FRANK. L. WOODFORD, HARRY AUSTIN. 

